West Bengal Governor Seeks Report, Plans Visit After Public Flogging

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has requested a report from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the public flogging of a couple. He plans to visit Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district, where the incident occurred, on Tuesday, officials stated. Currently in New Delhi, Bose expressed shock over the incident, which was captured on video and described it as barbaric.

Bose condemned the incident and demanded an immediate report from CM Banerjee. "This is a shocking and barbaric act of inhumanity. I condemn this incident," he said in a video message. The governor intends to travel directly to Chopra from New Delhi to speak with the victims and locals, according to a Raj Bhavan official.

Governor's Concerns Over Police Role

The governor questioned the role of the police minister and police administration in controlling such incidents in the state. "There is a police force, but people are asking who is the cop and who is the thief," Bose remarked. He also criticised some IPS officers for playing to the gallery and questioned whether it is not the police minister's job to ensure that violence ends.

The police registered a case on Sunday after the video of the incident went viral on social media, causing widespread outrage. The man seen in the video beating the couple with a bamboo stick was identified as Tajmul alias JCB, reportedly a local TMC leader. He has been arrested.

Incidents of Mob Violence

Bose also condemned recent incidents of mob violence that left four people dead in various parts of West Bengal, including Kolkata, within a week. A man was beaten to death by a mob in Hooghly district on Monday, marking the fourth such incident in less than a week. The first case emerged in Kolkata on June 28, followed by two more fatal assaults on June 29 and 30.

In another instance, Bose criticised police personnel and civic volunteers for baton-charging family members of a patient at Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital after an alleged altercation with doctors and nurses. "Those responsible for this, particularly in the government, have to answer for this," he said.

The couple was allegedly involved in an illicit relationship, leading to their flogging by order of a kangaroo court, according to police reports. The governor expressed his disgust at seeing a woman being beaten publicly while bystanders did nothing.

Bose accused the TMC government of attempting to prevent his visit to Chopra. He emphasised that it is the state administration's duty to ensure his safe passage throughout any part of West Bengal.

The governor is expected to return to Delhi after his visit and file a report with the central government regarding the incident. "This cannot be allowed in a civilised nation," Bose stated firmly.